What Emery Jensen Distribution does

Emery Jensen Distribution is a national wholesale distributor headquartered in Oak Brook, Illinois, operating as the distribution arm of the Ace Hardware retailer-owned cooperative (5,100+ independently owned stores). The company procures and supplies 100,000+ SKUs across ten major product categories — Paint & Sundries, Hand & Power Tools, Hardware & Fasteners, Plumbing, Electrical, Lawn & Garden, Outdoor Living, Grilling, Housewares, and Automotive — to independent hardware retailers, pro-lumber dealers, LBM dealers, paint retailers, and e-commerce operators across the United States. Its core operational asset base is 15 distribution centers holding $1.2B in inventory, supported by a dedicated field force of Territory Managers and a data-driven assortment methodology that draws on insights from 5,000+ stores refreshed at least every three years. Distribution is executed at 99% order accuracy.

The business model is B2B wholesale distribution: Emery Jensen generates revenue from product margins on sales to its retailer base, aggregating $10B in buying power to secure vendor pricing it passes through to dealers. The company is more than a logistics provider — it layers proprietary retailer programs on top of core distribution, including Conversion Edge (up to 100% vendor-funded planogram conversions under 3-year agreements), Evolution (curated assortment refreshes with 25% average vendor incentives), SAVINGSource (group purchasing for indirect spend such as technology, vehicles, and facilities), the Liquid Paint Program (Clark+Kensington, Royal, Contractor Pro, and WoodRoyal private label brands with merchandising support), Tool Repair (flat-rate pneumatic tool repair at up to 30% retailer margin), and the Building Services / Drop Ship Building Materials program (1,700+ dealers, 120+ no-adder vendors). Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed.

Go-to-market is enterprise field sales: Territory Managers function as long-term partners rather than transactional reps, supplemented by the company website, the annual EDGE Event, and industry awards (Highly Commended at The Drum Awards for Commerce Media 2026 for a SodaStream retail-media campaign with Ace Hardware and RedVest Media). Ownership sits within the Ace Hardware cooperative structure, with no independent VC or public-market backing disclosed. The customer base beyond Ace includes pro-lumber and LBM dealers utilizing drop-ship programs, and independent paint and e-commerce retailers — though revenue concentration on the Ace ecosystem remains the dominant risk factor.

Name

Emery Jensen Distribution

Legal name

Emery Jensen Distribution

Website

https://emeryjensendistribution.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Emery Jensen Distribution is the national wholesale distribution arm of the Ace Hardware cooperative, supplying 100,000+ SKUs across ten categories from 15 distribution centers to independent hardware, pro-lumber, LBM, paint, and e-commerce retailers across the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wholesale Distribution (Hardware and Home Improvement)

NAICS

Plumbing and Heating Equipment and Supplies (Hydronics) Merchant Wholesalers (423720)

SIC

Wholesale-Hardware (5072), Wholesale-Lumber & Other Construction Materials (5030)

akta.pro primary industry

STEM & Educational Toys Distribution (CRAOAMAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Hobby & Model Kits Distribution (RC, Scale Models, Miniatures) (CRAOAMAD)

Keywords

• Wholesale distribution
• Hardware retail supply
• Building materials distribution
• Private label programs
• Retailer support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Oak Brook

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Wholesale Distribution: Emery Jensen operates as a national wholesale distributor generating revenue through product distribution to independent retailers. Revenue is derived from product margins on sales across multiple categories including hardware, paint, plumbing, electrical, tools, lawn & garden, and more. The company leverages $10B in buying power to offer competitive pricing to retailers.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Emery Jensen Distribution is a national wholesale distributor serving independent retailers across hardware, pro-lumber, grocery, paint, and e-commerce channels. The company supplies 100,000+ SKUs across 10 product categories from 15 US distribution centers and pairs distribution with exclusive retailer programs (SAVINGSource group purchasing, Liquid Paint private label, Conversion Edge, Evolution, Tool Repair, and Drop Ship Building Materials) supported by dedicated Territory Managers.

Product overview

Emery Jensen Distribution is a national wholesale distributor serving independent retailers with a multi-category product portfolio and proprietary retailer programs. The company operates as a platform-plus-modules model combining distribution services with exclusive programs including SAVINGSource (group purchasing), Tool Repair, Building Services/Drop Ship, and Conversion Edge/Evolution assortment programs. The core product offerings span 100,000+ SKUs across 10 major categories: Paint & Sundries, Hand & Power Tools, Hardware & Fasteners, Plumbing, Electrical, Lawn & Garden, Outdoor Living, Grilling, Housewares, and Automotive. Private label paint brands (CLARK+KENSINGTON, Royal, Contractor Pro, WoodRoyal) are distributed through the flagship Liquid Paint Program with full merchandising support. The company's value proposition combines national scale through 15 distribution centers with local Territory Manager support, $10B in buying power, and data-driven assortment recommendations backed by 5,000+ store insights.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Liquid Paint Program Private-label paint program offering retailers exclusive Clark+Kensington, Royal, Contractor Pro, and WoodRoyal interior/exterior paint and stain brands, bundled with full merchandising support, custom planograms, and tinting equipment to position retailers as paint destinations.
• SAVINGSource Group purchasing power program that aggregates retailers' indirect procurement needs (technology, vehicles, marketing, facilities) and negotiates improved pricing with a preferred-vendor network to lower operating costs for participating retailers.
• Tool Repair Program Pneumatic tool repair service for retailers to offer pro customers, with flat-rate pricing on key brands (Bostitch, Hitachi, DeWalt, Porter Cable, Senco, Paslode), 14–21 day turnaround, and up to 30% retailer margin.
• Conversion Edge Full assortment conversion program offering up to 100% vendor funding on qualifying planogram conversions when replacing a competitor's assortment, structured with a 3-year agreement, and reported to deliver up to 10x category growth.
• Evolution Assortment refresh program providing one-time discounts on curated assortments backed by insights from 5,000+ stores, with vendor incentives averaging 25% off and an extra 10% bonus for 6+ assortments.
• Building Services / Drop Ship Building Materials Drop-ship building materials program providing LBM dealers access to 120+ vendors with competitive pricing, forwarded terms and dating, and no adders or inflated rebates, serving 900+ in-network dealers.
• Private Label Programs Exclusive product lines distributed through Emery Jensen that help retailers differentiate and improve margins on products not available from competitors, including the company's private-label paint brands.
• E-commerce Services E-commerce distribution and fulfillment support for independent retailers across multiple channels, including B2B bulk deliveries and direct-to-consumer fulfillment.
• Paint & Sundries Distribution Wholesale distribution of paint and paint sundries assortments including 500+ caulks/sealants, 2,000+ applicators/tape, 800+ spray paint/foam, and 1,500+ wood finish SKUs from brands including Henkel, Purdy, Cabot, Minwax, and Zinsser.
• Hand & Power Tools Distribution Core anchor wholesale category featuring major brands including Craftsman, Milwaukee, DeWalt, Irwin, Stanley, Diablo, Spec-Ops, SKIL, and Gearwrench, with data-driven planograms designed for 5,000+ retailers.
• Hardware & Fasteners Distribution Wholesale distribution of a $15B+ product category with 25+ brand partners including ITW Brands, Hitachi, GRK, Paslode, and Power Pro, with products that can account for up to 25% of retailer sales and reduce purchase orders through consolidation.
• Plumbing Distribution Wholesale distribution of 16,000+ plumbing items including Charlotte Pipe, Sharkbite Push to Connect, Delta, Moen, 3M, and Oatey, covering faucets, plastic fittings, tubular products, and furnace filters.
• Electrical Distribution Wholesale distribution of 7,500+ electrical items including 1,000+ light bulbs, 1,400 receptacles/outlets/switches, 700 batteries, and flashlights/worklights from Feit Electric, Energizer, Leviton, Rayovac, NEBO, Westinghouse, and Lutron.
• Lawn & Garden Distribution Wholesale distribution of 5,500+ hardgood SKUs, 1,000+ outdoor power equipment SKUs, and 1,800+ bird/pet/farm SKUs featuring Quikrete, Scotts, Toro, Generac, STIHL, Craftsman, Milwaukee, and DeWalt.
• Outdoor Living Distribution Wholesale distribution of 2,000+ patio/outdoor décor SKUs, 500+ pool supply items, and 2,400 sporting goods SKUs from brands including Solo Stove, Coleman, Igloo, Hydro Flask, Stanley, and Gerber.
• Grilling Distribution Wholesale distribution of 1,500+ grilling SKUs including grills, smokers, griddles, pizza ovens, fuels, and accessories from Weber, Blackstone, Traeger, Kingsford, Ooni, Gozney, and Recteq.
• Housewares Distribution Wholesale distribution of 8,000+ items including 2,700 impulse SKUs, 1,500 home housewares SKUs, and 3,300 kitchen housewares SKUs from Cuisinart, KitchenAid, Bissell, Red Bull, Flex Seal, Mr. Coffee, Ball, Crock-Pot, and Presto.
• Automotive Distribution Wholesale distribution of an automotive assortment spanning oil/filters/maintenance, lubrication, appearance chemicals, towing, tie downs, and tarps with brands including PEAK Performance, Curt, Pennzoil, Foremost, Prestone, Exxon, and Rain-X.

Quantifiable outcome

• Stores see up to 10x category growth through Conversion Edge program
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ace HardwarecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 20 May 2026Ace Hardware is a retailer-owned cooperative with over 5,100 independently owned stores. Emery Jensen Distribution serves as the national distribution partner for Ace Hardware, supporting its network of independent retailers across hardware, paint, plumbing, electrical, and other categories. The partnership enables Ace Hardware retailers to access Emery Jensen's $10B buying power, 100K+ SKUs, and comprehensive programs.
• RedVest MediaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRedVest Media is Ace Hardware's Retail Media Network. Emery Jensen Distribution was involved in a joint campaign with RedVest Media and Ace Hardware that achieved a 70% increase in SodaStream orders, earning recognition at The Drum Awards for Commerce Media 2026.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Ferguson Enterprises: Ferguson is the largest US distributor of plumbing, HVAC, and waterworks products, serving contractors and pro customers. Its scale, SKU breadth, and private-label programs in plumbing overlap with EJ's 16,000+ plumbing SKU offering.
• WinWholesale (Win Supply): WinWholesale is a large wholesale distributor of plumbing, HVAC, electrical, and industrial supplies operating through locally owned subsidiaries. Its multi-category wholesale model and field-sales distribution approach overlap with EJ's plumbing, electrical, and tools categories serving independent contractors.
• White Cap (formerly HD Supply Construction Solutions): White Cap is a leading distributor of specialty hardware, tools, fasteners, and building materials serving professional contractors across the US. It overlaps with EJ's hardware/fasteners, tools, and Building Services/Drop Ship categories, though it focuses on the pro contractor channel rather than independent retailers.
• SRS Distribution: SRS Distribution is a national distributor of roofing, building products, and complementary categories to independent contractors and dealers. Its growth via acquisition and vendor-funded programs parallels EJ's expansion into drop-ship building materials and category-conversion strategies.

Direct peers

• Do it Best: Do it Best is a hardware/home center cooperative with thousands of independent member dealers, operating its own distribution and private label programs. Its cooperative-owned distribution model, member services, and category programs (including paint and tools) are directly comparable to Emery Jensen's Ace Hardware ecosystem.
• Orgill: Orgill is one of the largest independently owned hardlines wholesalers in North America, distributing hardware, paint, plumbing, electrical, and lawn & garden products to independent retailers. Like Emery Jensen, it competes on buying power, SKU breadth, and value-added retailer programs serving independent hardware channels.
• True Value Company: True Value is a hardware cooperative distributing paint, hardware, plumbing, electrical, and seasonal goods to independent retailers through its own distribution network. The member-owned distribution and brand model closely mirrors EJ's structure within the Ace cooperative.
• Border States Electric: Border States Electric is a 100% employee-owned distributor of electrical products and adjacent supplies serving contractor and industrial customers across the US. Its B2B electrical distribution model is directly comparable to EJ's 7,500+ electrical SKU offering and field-sales approach.
• House-Hasson Hardware: House-Hasson is a regional wholesale distributor of hardware, paint, and building products serving independent retailers across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. It competes head-to-head with EJ on assortment, pricing, and field-sales support to independents.

Others

• Ace Hardware Corporation: Ace Hardware is EJ's parent and the retailer-owned cooperative whose 5,100+ stores EJ serves. Included as the closest ecosystem participant — it sets the demand base and strategic direction that EJ's distribution business depends on.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/EmeryJensenDistribution
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/emery-jensen-distribution

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Emery Jensen Distribution